Police: Man illegally moves family into empty home

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga - A Newton County man is in jail charged with illegally moving his entire family into a house that didn't belong to him.

Kerry Veasley is charged with theft and forgery after Covington police said they caught him, along with his wife and three children, living in a home that actually belongs to a former assistant superintendent of Newton County Schools.

"I just couldn't believe it happened in this neighborhood," said Mark Gagne, who lives three doors down from the home. "I couldn't believe the boldness of people able to go through a back door and move their stuff in."

Covington police said the homeowner got a new job out of state and was trying to sell the house. According to detectives, Veasley, who recently lost his job, spotted the “for sale” sign in the front yard and decided to move his entire family in. They said he even forged rental documents so he could get the utilities turned on.

"They had AT&T out here setting up their cable," said Gagne. "They had all kinds of services. Georgia Power came out to put the lights on. So it's pretty brazen."

Neighbor George Lazenby said he saw the family move into his friend's former home, and thought it seemed suspicious.

"Something wasn't right," said Lazenby. "Just the fact the back door was open. They kept the blinds closed all the time."

The homeowner caught wind that someone might be living in his house illegally and called police. Officers went to the home and arrested Veasley. They did not press charges against the rest of his family but did order them to move out of the house.

"Unfortunately, it's a sign of the times," said Lazenby. "People want something for nothing."